Steve Korris News
Judge chides expert witnesses in flood trial order
BECKLEY – For five years attorneys, promised to prove that coal mines and timber companies contributed to damage in a flood. But in the first trial of their claims, they produced no proof at all.
Three drug suspects withdrew pleas after Supreme Court wiring opinion
CHARLESTON -- Three Nicholas County drug suspects who had pleaded guilty withdrew their pleas after the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled that police cannot send "wired" informants into homes without a warrant.
Attorney worries residents misunderstand taping opinion
MADISON – Attorney Benjamin Conaway, who persuaded the Supreme Court of Appeals to throw out taped evidence against a drug suspect, worries that many West Virginians misunderstand the decision of the Justices.
WVU Moot Court competition full of drama
Baker Cup finalist Steven Conifer hoists his trophy after being declared the winner. MORGANTOWN – Two people never worked as hard for $850 as Steven Conifer and Jenifer Matko.
Judge sets aside flood trial verdict
BECKLEY – Raleigh County Circuit Judge John Hutchison turned a trial over a flood into a parade of speculation and inflammation.
Justices not convinced in pharmacy argument
MORGANTOWN – Affidavits from five authors of the Medical Professional Liability Act of 1986 failed to convince the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals that the act does not cover pharmacies.
Justices to decide on two-year statute of limitations
MORGANTOWN – Justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals must decide whether the two-year statute of limitations on a claim of personal injury should stop in a case of temporary insanity.
Justices dispense some teaching during arguments at WVU
MORGANTOWN – In an ideal teaching moment for West Virginia University law students, the Supreme Court of Appeals wrestled with a case of a belligerent doctor and a dead baby.
Juror confusion should mean new trial, attorney argues
MORGANTOWN – Confusion among jurors over the meaning of malice in a murder trial should entitle the defendant to a new trial, according to attorney Crystal Walden of Charleston.
Hospital meeting open, Supreme Court rules
Starcher CHARLESTON – Any citizen may observe meetings of the medical staff executive committee at Charleston Area Medical Center, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals unanimously ruled March 1.
Dominion, Equitable face federal lawsuits
CHARLESTON – Natural gas companies Dominion Resources Services and Equitable Production face federal lawsuits similar to a Roane County suit that resulted in a $405 million verdict against Columbia Natural Resources.
Are pharmacies health care providers? Court will hear arguments
CHARLESTON – Attorney J. Robert Rogers of Hurricane, seeking to prove that West Virginia's medical malpractice law does not apply to pharmacies, produced affidavits to that effect from five members of the 1986 legislature.
Deposition details alleged Better Foods harassment
Craigo CHARLESTON – Anna Reynolds worked seven years for a man who with a single touch ruined her love of dresses, according to her sworn statement in her human rights suit against Better Foods Inc.
Police must get search warrant to send 'wired' informants into home, Court rules
Davis CHARLESTON – Police in West Virginia must obtain search warrants before sending "wired" informants into homes, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Deposition shows 'explosive" atmosphere at Better Foods
Craigo CHARLESTON – Confrontation and intimidation ruled at Better Foods Inc., owner of Tudor's Biscuit World and Gino's Pizza restaurants, according to former state finance commissioner Arnie Margolin.
Court reverses 72-year-old woman's homicide conviction
CHARLESTON – Marjorie Green, 72, served jail time for a crime she did not commit, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Justices asked to straighten out DNR raise issue
Maynard CHARLESTON – Administrative Law Judge Paul Marteney tied West Virginia courts into knots when he rescinded pay raises for six Division of Natural Resources employees.
30-day notice of suit under court scrutiny
Albright CHARLESTON – Under West Virginia law anyone who intends to sue the state must give 30 days notice, but Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals appear ready to strike down that law.
Doctor claims former patient defrauded court
ELKINS – Melvin Heckel convinced jurors that a negligent doctor blinded him, but now the doctor claims to possess proof that Heckel faked blindness.
Supreme Court suspends Clay lawyer
CHARLESTON – Wayne King of Clay must give up his law license for at least 60 days because he broke rules of professional conduct in borrowing from a client.